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02

THE BEST TIME TO INSPECT

 Home inspections conducted prior to a home being placed on the market is one of the wisest moves a seller can make. The initial response from sellers when approached with the idea of an inspection done as the home is about to be put up for sale is most always the same – “What?!” Let’s review a few of the most common concerns about Pre-Listing Home Inspections.
The Buyer Will Not Accept It
That is correct! The inspection done for the seller is not intended to replace the inspection done for the buyer. The purpose of the pre-listing inspection is to put the seller in control! Given that no good surprise can come to the seller during the home inspection, regardless of when it is done or whom it is done for, it makes perfect sense to get every strand of information as soon as it can be gotten. Bad news doesn’t get better with time.

If there is some bad news, or more correctly, some items that needs attention or might have an impact on the home’s value, who better to receive that information than the seller? And when is a better time to receive that information than before the home is placed on the market? The simple fact is this – a home inspection at the time of listing will put the seller in the best possible position. With the complete and clear view of the home’s strengths and weaknesses, the home can be marketed to the best benefit of the seller.
”I Don’t Want To Pay For The Inspection!”
This is certainly understandable. The seller generally perceives that the inspection is intended for the buyer, hence, should be a buyer’s responsibility. But to have the benefit of the information it must be paid for. Never have we had a complaint from a seller about the value of the inspection! In every case at the conclusion of a pre-listing inspection, the seller felt they had made a good choice in spending the money to get the inspection done.

In most cases, the seller’s feel good getting the peace of mind of knowing that no major event or expense will be uncovered by the buyer’s inspector. And on the rare occasion when it is discovered by the pre-listing inspector that the roof is completely shot or there is some other big expense or danger, the sellers, while not happy to have the problem, are glad to have discovered it on their own terms. The small expense of the inspection is always less then the cost and aggravation of a hurried hunt to get something repaired or replaced after the home is under contract. Save the pain, spend the money. Get every home inspected prior to putting it on the market!
The Home Is Selling “As IS”…
This may be the best reason of all to inspect at listing! If the home is being sold “as is”, reduce your risk and liability as the seller by getting a pre-listing inspection. In order for the home to sell quickly and at the highest price, disclose every condition of the home. The inspection gives both the buyer and the seller the comfort of knowing that the home “is as it is”. With a pre-listing inspection, there is a high likelihood that the home is as represented.

Even in an “as is” contract, the buyer may still have their own inspection performed. If these two inspections are similar in content, it is rare the buyer will walk or counter offer. That, in fact, is the goal of the “as is” sale. Another concern of sellers is that they will have to repair every item that is discovered to be discrepant on the inspection report. This is simply not true. It would be true that every discrepant item needs to be disclosed, and those disclosures may impact value and hence asking price, but nothing need necessarily be corrected.

Courtesy of:
Rinehart Inspection Services, LLC

email: g_rinehart@hotmail.com
phone: (206) 901-1549
web: http://www.rinehartinspections.com

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02

Own a Top 10 South Sound Waterfront & View

 

 

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30

Tonight’s ‘wolf’ moon promises rare treat

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26

South Puget Sounds Colvos Passage

A lot of folks don’t know a little secret about the tide direction through the Colvos Passage in the South Sound area between Vashon Island and the Olympic Peninsula.  In all of the Puget Sound, the tide comes in and out from the Pacific Ocean.  There is only one water passage where regardless of an incoming or outgoing tide, the tide is always outgoing.  That one area is the Colvos Passage that borders the West side of 13 mile long Vashon Island, and the Olympic Peninsula neighborhoods of Gig Harbor, Olalla, and Southworth (part of Port Orchard).

Because of this, the many barges headed north from Olympia at the Southern end of the South Sound and from Tacoma intentionally head straight up the middle of the Colvos Passage to take advantage of that constant outgoing tide.  They sort of get a partial free ride from mother nature, and save fuel.

Here’s the reason.  The tidal flow through the Colvos Passage on the west side of Vashon Island has a unique unidirectional pattern flowing only in a northern direction. This unusual tidal flow pattern in the Passage is probably caused by the ebbing current from the Narrows, west of  Tacoma, that is naturally directed into the Passage by the land formation at Point Defiance State Park in Tacoma.

So, for all the neighborhood communities that border the Colvos Passage, they get an optical illusion.  Though the water rises 4 to sometimes 20 feet on an incoming tide, the flow of water through the Colvos Passage always heads north.  When you look at it, your mind tells you its flowing south, but it’s not.  Definately a unique South Sound feature that benefits barge traffic.

--> Jan
20

Come Home to Comfort in Gig Harbor

 

Amazing Home. Come look again. Step inside to a welcomed open feeling. Undoubtedly you’ll love the 9′ Ceilings and Plenty of natural light. The Kitchen will greet everyone you’re entertaining. Gather around the fire or music at the piano in this spacious living room. Enjoy the awesome view of the Olympic Mountians. Three Huge bedrooms on main floor Including master suite. Upstairs you will find another suite and recreation area. Three car garage. Unbelievable comfort you’ll want to experience. 

We would love to show you this home.  South Sound Properties Team

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20

Home Maintenance Tip – Water Heater

 

 

Home Maintenance Tip – from your South Sound Properties Team.
Keeping Your Water Heater Fit

 Most people don’t give much thought to their water heater – they just turn on the faucet and expect hot water to come out. Water heaters are relatively maintenance free, and you can keep your water heater in peak operating condition just by performing two simple maintenance tasks every six months: test the pressure valve and then flush the tank.

If the pressure release valve is not operating properly, the tank can potentially over pressurize and explode. Flushing the tank prevents sediment build up, which can reduce your water heater’s energy efficiency and clog your water lines. Consult your owner’s manual or other maintenance guide for instructions on how to safely perform these maintenance tasks. You can also visit us at www.orhp.com and click on the QUICK FIX TIPS link in the Homeowner’s Section of the site for more information.

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20

Port Orchard Man Survives Haiti Earthquake

 

 

Haiti in ruins from recent earthquake.

 

And Returns Home With Wife.

 

 

 

Robert Otwell was in Haiti getting his wife a visa when the quake hit

 

SeaTac - All of the violence and chaos is why hundreds of people are trying to get out of Haiti. They are lining up outside embassies looking for a better life elsewhere. One of those lucky to get out is a Port Orchard man. After a four year long battle to bring his Haitian wife to America she is finally by his side in Port Orchard after a long trek back to the South Sound area via SeaTac (Seattle-Tacoma) airport.  Then on by ferry to Port Orchard. 

Welcome home Mr. and Mrs. Otwell from our real estate team at South Sound Properties in neighboring Gig Harbor!

 

 

 

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10

Repair Tips for Finished Wood Floors

Many homes in the South Sound region have natural wood flooring.  We love our wood floors, it is like bringing the outdoors inside.  We have all had times when ’something’ occurs and our floors need repair.  Below are some helpful hints.

The rich look of wood floors can add class and beauty to any room. The natural beauty of a wood floor never goes out of style and is very easy to incorporate in redecorating. But keep in mind that after much wear and tear, wood floors can look dull and worn and may need repairing.

Luckily, it is not always necessary to sand down the damaged part of your wood floor to give it a newer look. By filling cracks and gouges, your floor can look new again and it won’t cost you a lot of time, effort and money. With these helpful wood floor repair tips you won’t have to cover scratches or gouges with pieces of furniture or area rugs. If you have a stained floorboard that needs replacing, see How to Refinish Wood Floors. These small problems can be easy for anyone to fix with the right materials and tools. Remember that before you repair the floor, it must be cleaned thoroughly and all dust and debris must be vacuumed or swept up.

Fixing a Scratch on a Stained Finish

Tools and Materials You Need: · Stain or furniture touch-up marker (similar color to your floor’s stain) · Polyurethane or urethane finish (small amount) · Artist’s paintbrush · Dry rag

Apply the Stain and Finish: If your floor was stained before it was finished, you must stain the scratch before applying the polyurethane or other type of finish. Use an artist’s paintbrush or any tiny brush and apply stain to the scratch using a similar color to that on the floor. You can also cover the scratch with furniture marker in place of stain. Let the stain dry for at least 24 hours and then apply the polyurethane using the same brush. Buff the Scratch: Wipe off the excess polyurethane that is not absorbed into the scratch before it dries so it does not leave a mark. Buff the scratch lightly with a dry rag to help it disappear.

Fixing Gouges

Tools and Materials You Need: · Latex wood filler · Putty knife · Sandpaper · Artist’s paintbrush · Stain (if needed) · Polyurethane, urethane or varnish (small amount) · Dry rag

Fill the Damaged Area: Fill the gouge with latex wood filler and smooth it over using a putty knife, removing the excess filler. Let the area dry completely and smooth it with sandpaper. Stain the Latex Wood Filler: If the filled gauge is very noticeable, it can be stained even if it is a natural finished floor. Use an artist’s paintbrush or any tiny brush to apply stain to the dried latex wood filler. Let the stain dry for at least 24 hours. Use a stain that matches the color of your floor as closely as possible. Apply the Finish: Using an artist’s paintbrush, apply polyurethane or any other finish to the area once it is dry. Wipe away excess finish before it dries and buff the area with a dry rag.

 

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05

Olalla Horse Farms and Open Waters

Just about 15 minutes from the South Sound City of Gig Harbor you’ll find the community of Olalla, Washington.  It is bordered on the east side by Puget Sound’s Colvos Passage that separates the Olympic Peninsula from Vashion Island.  You will find a good supply of residential horse farms, some fortunate enough to also have water front or water and mountain views.  There’s also horse back riding available at Pets Galore Horse Rides, and many other stables.

Olalla has a  tranquil small town feel, because there isn’t much town to it.  But it’s within minutes of major shopping centered between  Gig Harbor and Port Orchard. 

Our South Sound Properties Team would love to show you around the Olalla area.  You’re sure to fall in love with it – even if you don’t ride a horse.

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04

Welcome to South Sound’s 2 FUN Crista Camps

Crista Camps

Hi – I’m Matt Smith of the South Sound Properties real estate  TEAM (See our Website above in the Blue Bar).  My wife and I have 4 sons, now age 19 to 32.  All 4 boys have attended one or the other of the two Crista Camps at earlier ages and had a blast.  Here’s some information and 2010 registration information on the two Crista camps….

Miracle Ranch is a Christian camp northwest of Tacoma, near Gig Harbor, that offers traditional summer camps, horsemanship instruction, Fusion camp for youth groups, facility rental for non-profits, and special events for families.

Island Lake is a Christian camp west of Seattle, near Silverdale, that offers traditional summer camps, facility rental for non-profits (with seasonal availability from May-Sept), and special events for families.

REGISTER FOR SUMMER CAMP